William Barr trashes judge’s ruling for special master in Trump documents probe as ‘deeply flawed’
Former Attorney General William Barr slammed as “deeply flawed” the decision by a federal judge to appoint a special master in the Mar-a-Lago top-secret documents probe.
The onetime loyalist of former President Donald Trump didn’t mince words as he predicted the decision of U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon would be overturned on appeal.
Former Attorney General William Barr speaks during a news conference in Washington on Dec. 21, 2020. (Michael Reynolds/)
“The opinion I think was wrong, and I think the government should appeal it.” Barr said on Fox News. ”it’s deeply flawed in a number of ways.”
Bill Barr on Fox News on Judge Cannon's special master ruling: "The opinion I think was wrong, and I think the government should appeal it." pic.twitter.com/69lvq0Hr9W
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 6, 2022
Using a baseball analogy, Barr predicted that even if the special master decision is upheld, it would only slow down the case.
“I don’t think it changes the ballgame,” Barr said. “We’ll just have a rain delay for a couple of innings.”
Barr also suggested it was likely that his ex-boss will eventually be indicted for mishandling classified documents — and rightfully so.
“The government has very strong evidence of what it really needs to determine whether to file charges,” Barr said. “Government documents were taken. Classified information was taken. Classified documents were not handled appropriately.”
Worst of all, Barr said prosecutors may be able to prove obstruction of justice.
“There’s some evidence to suggest they were deceived,” he said.
Barr said in some ways the government’s potential case against Trump is very simple.
“It relates to the fact that [the documents] were there and the fact that they were classified,” he said. “And the fact that they were subpoenaed and never delivered.”
Bill Barr defends FBI search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago
The salvos from Barr marks the second time in recent days that he has effectively given his blessing to the Department of Justice’s handling of the Trump probe.
On Friday, he defended the search of Mar-a-Lago as appropriate given Trump’s actions.
Barr broke from Trump in late 2020 when he refused to join the former president’s effort to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss to President Biden.
